Beneath the iconic shade of “Dodger Doom,” a gathering spot sacred to Zimbabwe’s hip-hop community, over 60 young people gathered to share their experiences of climate change. They spoke of failed harvests, water shortages, plastic pollution and floods that have uprooted communities. But they also spoke of hope, hope rooted in traditional knowledge, cultural heritage, and local resilience.
Across Africa, youth are demanding climate solutions that speak directly to their realities. Many say foreign-led approaches often ignore the lived experiences of African communities, offering models that fail to account for the continent’s diverse ecosystems, histories, and challenges.
“Africa is paying the price for a crisis it did little to cause. Although Africa contributes less than four percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, we are experiencing some of its most severe impacts. Just last year, Zimbabwe faced an El Niño-induced drought, the worst in 40 years,” said Chido Nyaruwata, team leader of the Flames and Lilies Climate Initiative, an ecofeminist and youth climate organisation based in Zimbabwe.
Africa is facing the combined impact of rising debt, food insecurity, and worsening climate shocks. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, states that the continent contributes less than four percent of global greenhouse gas emissions but remains one of the most vulnerable regions in the world. Coming home, Southern Africa is warming faster than the global average, resulting in increased heat waves, erratic rainfall, and more frequent droughts.
Zimbabwe, for example, experienced its worst El Niño-induced drought in four decades in 2024, leaving more than 3.5 million people food insecure, according to the World Food Programme. With over 70 percent of Zimbabwe’s rural population reliant on rain-fed agriculture, the need for localized adaptation strategies is urgent.
In response, three youth-led organisations, the African Climate Alliance (ACA), the Sisonke Climate Justice Project (SCJP), and the Flames and Lilies Climate Initiative (ASSF), hosted the Afrocentric Solutions for Sustainable Futures (ASSF) event, which brought together youth from across the continent to share stories, identify solutions, and build a united climate movement informed by African experiences.
“It is critical that we develop afrocentric solutions to the climate crisis. As leaders of the present, we must take action and develop solutions that work for our communities,” Nyaruwata said.
The afrocentric initiative reflects a growing movement to place African voices at the centre of climate action, focusing on sustainable, community-driven responses that speak directly to the realities on the ground.
“We are currently based in Cape Town (African Climate Alliance) , and much of our work has been focused there, educating young people about climate change,”said Luvo Mnyobe, communications officer for the African Climate Alliance.
“However, since we started a few years ago through the ambassador program, we have seen growing interest from young people outside South Africa who want to take part in climate action.”
For ACA, the goal is clear, to grow a continent-wide youth movement that promotes solutions tailored to local realities and move beyond country-specific models, arguing that while climate change affects the entire continent, its impacts vary by region.
“The purpose of the gatherings is to help build a movement of young people who are engaged in climate action and committed to combating climate change.”
“We need to create a movement of young people who confront the challenges they face in their own communities and develop solutions that are relevant to their specific contexts, rather than prescribing solutions that might work in Cape Town but not necessarily in Harare.This is one step towards building a movement that extends beyond South Africa because climate issues do not only affect South Africans, they impact the entire continent, and in different ways,” he added.
The group also said the goal of these afrocentric models is to create a space where young people can share their personal experiences with climate change and the solutions their communities have developed, with the belief that meaningful, grassroots solutions will emerge from these shared stories and exchanges.
“It is not just about building a movement, but also about sharing and exchanging ideas on how climate change has affected them, as well as the solutions their communities have developed.”
“We want people to begin by sharing their stories, and moving forward, we believe solutions will emerge from those stories,how they have been affected and the actions they have taken to combat climate change.”
For many young Africans, that means turning to the wisdom of their ancestors, drawing from centuries-old Indigenous knowledge systems that guided how communities lived in balance with nature, managed resources sustainably, and adapted to changing environmental conditions long before modern science gave these changes a name.
“What Afrocentric solutions mean to me is going back to our roots,” said Wayne Musingwini, a youth climate advocate.
“We are looking at Indigenous Knowledge Systems and how we can use them to preserve our environment, prevent environmental degradation, and both combat and adapt to the effects of climate change.”
In Zimbabwe, traditional ecological practices are deeply embedded in daily life. One example is the totem system, where individuals are culturally linked to specific animals or natural elements, which they are expected to protect.
“If your totem is the elephant, for instance, it is taboo to harm or eat an elephant,” said Musingwini.
Other customs include harvesting only fruits that have fallen from trees, helping reduce overexploitation, and protecting sacred forests where cutting trees is forbidden.
“In many communities, people are not allowed to pick fruits directly from the tree but only gather those that have already fallen. This helps prevent overharvesting and allows nature to regenerate. Sacred forests or sites, where tree cutting is forbidden, also serve as traditional conservation zones, limiting deforestation and protecting biodiversity,” she said.
These systems, passed down through generations, promote conservation and resource management in ways that modern policies are only beginning to recognise.
“These practices are not just cultural, they are practical strategies for sustainable living. They reduce deforestation, over extraction, and environmental exploitation. As young people, I believe it is essential that we begin to implement and advocate for these grassroots, Afrocentric solutions,actively incorporating Indigenous Knowledge Systems into our modern environmental practices. They are not relics of the past, but tools for building a sustainable future.
The Afrocentric movement is also spreading geographically. Similar events and conversations are taking place in Malawi, Zambia, and Kenya, reflecting a broader push for African-led climate responses.
“This shows that Africans are united in finding our own solutions. We are coming together to discuss, share ideas, and engage in dialogue, but more importantly, we are taking action,”said Nyaruwata.
Climate activist Trust Chikodzo has called for radical shifts in how Africa engages its youth in the fight against the climate crisis. Chikodzo, founder of the Sisonke Climate Justice Project, insists that only youth-led, “afrocentric, and creative approaches” can mobilise a generation facing failed harvests, droughts, and displacement.
“Bringing people together to develop solutions that are created by and for Africans is extremely important. Building a youth movement is even more critical because we cannot win the struggle against climate change if we are working in silos. Coming together as collectives, organising as movements, and building stronger, more coordinated efforts to address environmental and climate issues is key.”
“It is vital to stand with comrades across the continent. When we talk about building a pan-African climate agenda, we are going to need numbers, allies, and organised movements to support and amplify our cause. That is why gatherings like this are so important.”
“We need to host more events that engage young people in meaningful, relatable ways, not through outdated methods, but through languages, experiences, and platforms that speak to them directly. If we can do that, then maybe we have a fighting chance against this climate crisis.”
Chikodzo argues that traditional outreach methods fail young Africans. Instead, solutions must be “created by and for Africans,” using art, storytelling, and culturally resonant platforms to foster solidarity.
“As young people, it is often difficult to reach others through traditional methods. That is why we use creative approaches like art, storytelling, and visual expression to engage and involve youth. For example, at today’s event, we featured an art installation that presented stories from different regions across Africa and within Zimbabwe. It demonstrated the power of solidarity because what is happening in the Democratic Republic of Congo today could happen in Zimbabwe tomorrow.”
Climate change in Africa, particularly in Zimbabwe, presents unique challenges that are often overlooked in global narratives. Therefore, it is essential to adopt an Afrocentric approach that reflects the local realities and experiences, rather than relying solely on global imagery or solutions.
